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ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. -- Nyack High School seniors will hold a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Thursday to honor the memory of a fellow senior who died early in the day, resulting in the postponement of commencement exercises.

Nyack Schools Superintendent James Montesano said in a letter to parents the district had changed its graduation ceremony from Thursday to Friday after the death of senior Kailana Koether.

Montesano wrote that her death was as "an unthinkable tragedy" and said more details would be sent to parents as the district receives them.

He added that the school will hold a community-wide candlelight vigil Thursday at 8 p.m. in the spot where Koether would have been graduating, MacCalman Field.

Graduation will now be held at 8 p.m. Friday, he said.

Attempts to contact Clarkstown Police regarding her death were unsuccessful Thursday.

"I have known the lovely and immensely talented Kailana since she was a small person," Nyack Mayor Jen White said in a statement. "She and her family are wonderful members of our community and her tragic death is beyond comprehension."